[The recycling of waste water and mosquitoes]

Recycling waste water in the Achères complex (North-West Paris) is based on both sophisticated industrial techniques and simple agricultural methods. The sewage farms and settling pools provide suitable breeding sites for more than ten mosquito species. Aedes caspius is the major pest for the local population. Moreover Culex pipiens (anthropophilic form) breeds in the sewers of the neighbouring towns. Mosquito control is based early ground treatment of breeding sites. Temephos and fenotrothion are used against A. caspius. Spherimos (Bacillus sphaericus) is used to control C. pipiens. The two insecticides have no adverse effect on humans or the environment and Spherimos is harmless. Aedes pest have been virtually eliminated. Urban Culex control is generally good despite being performed by less well trained municipal employees. In the areas treated by the specialized team of the SIAAP, pest mosquitoes have disappeared. The techniques used in the Achères complex do not require sophisticated equipment. Thus, if adapted to local ecological, epidemiological and financial conditions they could be transferred to developing countries.